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Exchange program leads to personal journey
DCMILITARY.COM
2014 Joint Service Open House cancelled 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE In accordance with the Department of Defense’s fiscal year 2014 community outreach plan, the Joint Service Open House scheduled for May 2014, also known as the Andrews Airshow, has been cancelled. “We will miss the interaction that JSOH allowed us to have with our friends in the community, but this decision will save more than $2 million in tax dollars,” said Colonel Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander, “We are in the process of adjusting our strategies to ensure we have a robust outreach program within our local community to show them how important they are to us, because without their support, we would not be able to get our missions accomplished.” The decision comes after the Department of Defense released a plan in October that initiated a 45 percent reduction in its outreach activities, with a goal of saving an estimated $1 billion dollars over the next 10 years. The Joint Service Open House cost approximately $2.1 million in appropriated funds in 2012. A decision about possible future JSOHs will be made at a later date.
JBA Passenger Terminal reduces hours BY CAPT. LARA STYLES-SMITH
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“Gold Star Children” highlights healing, understanding
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Operation Damayan airlift operations intensify
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | VOL. 2 NO. 45
AFDW ships holiday cheer
AFDW names Chief Master Sergeant Selects BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JOSHUA R. M. DEWBERRY 11TH WING
Congratulations to the Air Force District of Washington’s newest Chief Master Sergeant Selects on Joint Base Andrews:
Air Force District of Washington:
Granan, Patricia Ogden, Scott Headquarters Air Force: Formica, Sebastiano Kloeppel, Kevin
11th Wing:
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/TECH. SGT. TAMMIE MOORE
Members of the Air Force District of Washington wrap fragile items during the unit’s holiday care package packing event at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 19. The group filled boxes for Airmen deployed from the unit with donations ranging from gingerbread houses to canned snow. BY TECH. SGT. TAMMIE MOORE
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Members from across the Air Force District of Washington gathered together here Nov. 19 to complete a project months in the making, one designed to bring smiles to the faces of those from the unit who will not spend the upcoming holidays at home with their families. The AFDW members packed the commander’s conference room to help fill boxes with items covering every inch of the large conference table including snacks, drink mixes and items selected to bring a touch of the holidays to the deployed person’s entire office.
As holiday music played in the background, AFDW volunteers examined photos of the deployed Airmen hanging above each care package box. Some photos featured deployed AFDW Airmen and civilians in uniform while others included the cheerful faces of family members. Annette Bonaro, AFDW unit deployment manager, coordinated the care package donation drive and packing event as she has the last five years. “Each item in the package is selected for a reason,” she said. “During the holidays there are several items that will keep them busy and also allow them to share the holiday spirit with others.”
Every person Bonaro deploys from AFDW receives a quarterly care package. She has already begun coordinating the spring themed care packages for deployed AFDW Airmen, some of who have not even departed to the area of responsibility. “Everybody sends the standard stuff,” she said. “I like to theme these care packages for upcoming holidays. Some people dread the holidays while they are deployed and this helps spread the holiday spirit.” For information on how to contribute, contact Bonaro at 240612-4486 or visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/CARE-PackageCentral/126949817413050?ref=br_tf.
113th Wing members deploy to Brazil
FLIGHT COMMANDER
BY TECH. SGT. CRAIG CLAPPER
Starting Dec. 1, the Andrews Passenger Terminal will no longer be open 24 hours a day. The new hours will be 4 a.m. - 10 p.m. The terminal will also open three hours prior to departures and thirty minutes prior to arrivals for missions scheduled between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. For more information visit the Joint Base Andrews Passenger Terminal Facebook page or call the Flight Recording line at 301-981-3527/5851.
More than 100 members from the 113th Wing, D.C. Air National Guard, recently deployed to Natal Air Base, Brazil in support of CRUZEX 2013, a Brazilian-led training exercise focused on interoperability between participating air forces from multiple countries. Combined with members from the 161st Aerial Refueling Wing, Arizona ANG, the U.S. Air Force contingent’s goal for the two-week exercise is to practice working together with other countries’ military forces to prepare for any future real-world situations, such as the evacuation of civilians during a natural disaster.
113TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
“This is a great opportunity for the Wing in general due to the training benefits,” said Col. W. Mark Valentine, Commander of the deployed contingent, “you can pretend to be in a scenario while at home station but it is totally different when you are actually in theater. This exercise will better prepare us when we deploy to other areas of the world in the future.” The 113th Wing provided six unarmed F-16’s for the exercise with no live rounds, ammunition, bombs, or missiles being transported to Brazil. The scenarios provided during the exercise are fictitious and do not represent any particular real-world events. The exercise is not an offensive operation as it
is a training event to demonstrate basic fighter maneuvers, refueling, the maintenance of aircraft in a deployed location and the movement of personnel in an expeditious manner. “The pilots and maintainers are just one piece of the puzzle, we have to work together as a cohesive unit to ensure an exercise of this magnitude is a success and that includes the logistics and medical group,” said Colonel Valentine, “everything from the deployment line to working in theater, it takes a team effort and we really showed we had the capability to deploy to anywhere in the world thanks to the members of the 113th Wing.”
Blackstone, Rhonda Lewis, Sherrie Perry, Nathaniel Watkins, Joseph Widner, Kelly
79th Wing:
Belcher, Tommy Reim, Timothy Washington, Tracy
89th Airlift Wing: Baldinger, Steven Brown, Tangella Haldie, Margaret Jennings, Yolanda
The Andrews Gazette to end home delivery New in 2014, The Andrews Gazette will no longer be delivered to residential customers. The last delivery to on-base housing will be Dec. 20, 2013. Starting with the first issue of January 2014, find The Andrews Gazette on racks and displays around Joint Base Andrews and at the Andrews Federal Credit Union Allentown Road branch just outside the main gate. Liberty Park at Andrews wants feedback on this change. If you have suggestions, comments or complaints about the shift away from home delivery of The Andrews Gazette, please contact Liberty Park at Andrews Marketing Coordinator Jessica Aikin at 301-736-8082 or jaikin@themichaelsorg.com.
Mentoring to Manhood honors investors in lives of local students BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
From left, Dr. Mickey Burnim, president of Bowie State University; Mentoring to Manhood participants Joshua Ross-Reid and Diangelo Scott; Gorman E. Brown III, principal of Herbert Flowers High School, Robert Malone, founder of Mentoring to Manhood, and Therman Evans Jr., Esq., Chairman of the Board for Mentoring to Manhood pause together before joining the crowd at the Men Who Make the Difference awards ceremony held Nov. 15. Burnim, Brown and Malone were honored for their efforts in the community, along with the Reverend Tony Lee, founder and senior pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, Md.
A few men huddled over a kitchen table in 2005 and decided “to stop talking about it, and start being about,” helping young, Black men in Prince George’s County succeed in school and in life. That conversation led to the founding of Upper Marlboro-based Mentoring to Manhood, said the nonprofit’s Executive Director, Rob Howze at the Men Who Make the Difference gala honoring men who work in Prince George’s County to help African-American boys and young men reach their full potential. Dr. Mickey Burnim, president of Bowie State University; Gorman E.
Brown III, principal of Herbert Flowers High School, Robert Malone, founder of Mentoring to Manhood, and the Reverend Tony Lee, founder and senior pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, Md. were honored for their efforts to support, educate and inspire young Black men in our community. “You talk to these young men, and no matter what they say--they don’t have friends, they don’t like school, their dad doesn’t call--a person of wisdom can see the potential, the positive things in these young men, and that is the power of mentoring,” said Malone. Mentoring to Manhood sponsors tutoring and per-
sonal development sessions in four middle schools in Prince George’s County, working with Black, male students identified by the school as at risk because of their academic and social struggles. During “enrichment” periods as part of the school day and on Saturdays, M2M mentors meet with their young proteges to help them study, listen to their concerns and give them the emotional support they might not otherwise find from men in their lives. “There’s nothing wrong with these boys. The barrier is time and relationships,” said Malone. “We’ve got to build those relationships.” The organization’s vol-
see MENTOR, page 5
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Andrews Gazette
HOT TICKETS
Commentary
Looking back after half a century
Around Town November 22
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m. Hockey season: Just about the only reason to be happy winter is right around the corner. For information, visit http://capitals.nhl.com/.
November 23
African Children’s Choir Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Md. 7 p.m. Hear children’s songs, spirituals and gospel favorites performed by children from Uganda Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. For information visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com.
November 23
Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. See photographs and video works that explore media portrayals of women, and the personal stories of characters in a crowd. For information visit www.corcoran.org.
November 24
Soul Clap with Navbox U Street Music Hall N.W., Washington, D.C. 10 p.m. Changing the world, one dance floor at a time. For information and tickets visit http://www.ustreetmusichall. com/event/393905-soul-clap-washington/
COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS
Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military. The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.
Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher
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Friday, November 22, 2013
Chris Basham, editor cbasham@dcmilitary.com Deirdre Parry, page design dparry@gazette.net Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Fifty years ago today, our nation was stunned by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. My parents are of the generation quick to recall where they were when the president was shot—kind of the way my generation remembers the September 11 attacks, or my grandparents spoke of Pearl Harbor. But two generations have grown up without any memory of the events that took place at Dealey Plaza beyond the information learned in school and a few brief, grainy film clips. Commissions and researchers and writers from every angle have returned to the streets of Dallas, to the grassy knoll and the book depository, looking for truth and a definitive answer to the unanswerable questions: How did we lose our president? Could this happen again? After half a cen-
tury there still is talk of conspiracy and cover-up. Though most of the records related to the assassination have been released to the public over the years, there still is a small percentage of that information that is sealed from the public eye. Some will be released as soon as 2017, while other bits of evidence will be kept from public release for another 25 years. It seems strange in an era of constantly flowing information that the government could keep anything about such a momentous event hidden away for more than half a century, in the interest of protecting people who might be unduly harmed by evidence that linked them not to the assassination but to potential players in it. I can barely remember a time before the Internet. Explaining to my adult children what it was like before iTunes and Google, before Twitter
and Facebook, seems almost impossible. We all just Photoshop those cell phones and ear buds and tablets into our memories of the past. But there was a time when we were not connected by technology, but rather by the tighter, shorter bonds of community. For better and worse, things seemed much less chaotic on a daily basis. Perhaps that’s part of why the horror of the day burned itself so fiercely into the minds of those who were alive to witness it. Reading the eyewitness accounts, it is easy to see the chaos and terror and grief and loss. It is easy to see the bravery of Jacqueline Kennedy and Nellie Connally as they held their injured husbands in the moments after the shots were fired. But it will probably never be easy to understand what could drive a man to kill a president. Maybe we should all be grateful that it still does not make sense.
duty members. There also workstudy programs, tutorial assistance and license and certification test reimbursement. Enacted in 1944, the “GI Bill of Rights” recognized that military service was an inherently selfless act which deserved a certain amount of compensation. Nearly half of the 16 million veterans of World War II went to school – helping to rejuvenate the post-war economy. The Post-9/11 GI Bill builds on the same legacy, giving Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families a chance to improve their lives through higher education. For more information on VA education benefits go to www.gibill.va.gov or call 800-827-1000.
dfas.mil/retiredmilitary for help. DFAS will mail hard copy versions of the 1099R in mid-January to those who have chosen that option. The 1099R’s are not automatically issued for deceased members. To receive a 1099R on behalf of a deceased member, you must request it and a death certificate must be on file.
Retiree Corner COURTESY OF THE RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE
GI Bill hits milestone
More than one million veterans, service members and family members have benefited from the Post-9/11 GI Bill since the program’s inception in 2009. Some $30 billion has been distributed in the form of tuition and other education-related payments. The program is a comprehensive education benefit created by Congress in 2008. In general, veterans and service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible. On average, VA processes initial claims for educational benefits in 23 days. There is an opportunity to transfer the benefit to immediate family members. Benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, giving activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as all other active
Choose how to get your 1099R
The IRS Forms 1099R for the 2013 tax year will become available online in mid-December on myPay. To create a myPay account or if you have forgotten your password, go to www.
Get help to quit smoking
Cigarette smoking causes one of every five deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco use is also the major cause of preventable, disease-related illness and death in the United States. However, quitting tobacco can be a struggle; that’s why TRICARE has resources available for those ready to quit. “Quit Tobacco, Make Everyone Proud” helps military personnel, family members and retirees kick the habit. The cam-
see RETIREE, page PB
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013
High cholesterol a concern? Malcolm Grow classes can help BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center is expanding its range of services to help patients make lifestyle changes to help lower the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-also known as “LDL,” or the “bad cholesterol,” while raising high-density lipoprotein--”HDL,” the “good cholesterol”--levels found in a patient’s blood samples. The goal is a lot more practical than just shifting numbers on a lab chart. It’s an opportunity to work to protect people at risk of cardiovascular disease from experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Although cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, plaque build-up over time can cause problems. “Blood vessels are clear when you are a baby, before you start eating any McDonald’s. When the body is not in balance, plaque builds up and the body recognizes those built-up areas as unhealthy. Blood clots form something like an internal ‘scab’ and can greatly reduce or even stop the flow of blood,” said Dr. Derric Whiteside of the MGMC&SC Anticoagulation Clinic. Whiteside teaches individuals and small groups how to reduce their risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels, heart attacks and stroke through diet, exercise and sometimes medication or surgery. Those “internal scabs” formed by sticky platelets clumping against cholesterol-coated blood vessels cause problems for modern people, but they were not always such a hazard. “In the Neanderthal days, it was straight up exercise. You had to hunt for your food. There was no
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
Dr. Derric Whiteside of the Anticoagulation Clinic at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center points out what plaque build-up can look like inside the arteries of a patient with high cholesterol levels. Whiteside offers small group and one-on-one classes for patients trying to improve their cholesterol lab results.
fried food,” said Whiteside. Bodies designed for those intense workouts and lean meals aren’t equipped to handle the easy feasting of modern life. Add in other health issues typical of a comfortable and wellfed population, and heart disease becomes more and more common. “Anybody can have a heart attack, even your marathon runners,” said Whiteside. “But high cholesterol, diabetes and metabolic syndrome all make one more likely.” African-Americans
have higher rates of high cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes, but Whiteside said that has less to do with genetics than geography. “It’s not because of race. It’s because of the Southern diet of salty, fried, greasy, pork-filled soul food,” Whiteside said. People with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and some other autoimmune disorders need to be particularly aware of their cholesterol numbers and work to keep them within a healthy range, White-
CAPTION THIS
Send your silly captions for this week’s photo to cbasham@dcmilitary.com. The funniest ones will be used in a future edition of The Andrews Gazette.
side said, because people with those health issues are at risk of heart attack and stroke at cholesterol levels that in otherwise healthy patients might fall within what is generally considered a healthy range. “When the body attacks itself (due to autoimmune diseases), it doesn’t just attack one area. It causes problems pretty much all over,” said Whiteside. Although many people don’t pay too much attention to their diet and activity levels when they look and feel healthy, blocked blood vessels around the heart can cause sensations that provide a warning that’s hard to ignore. “I’ve had a patient say it felt like his ex-wife was sitting on his chest. Others say a car, or an elephant,” said Whiteside, who added that blocked blood vessels can occur anywhere in the body. “Coronary arteries are small, so that is a likely place, but anywhere you have a blood vessel, you can have a blocked blood vessel.” Blood tests reveal cholesterol levels. To see the actual blockage in a particular blood vessel, doctors can inject dye into the vessel and watch where it flows--and where it stops. At Fort Belvoir and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, CT scanners are also used to check a patient’s calcium score. “Cholesterol is calcium deposits,” said Whiteside. “They’ll light up on a CT scanner.” EKGs enable physicians to narrow down what part of a patient’s heart is functioning poorly. Even after discovering heart disease, dietary and exercise changes can sometimes be enough to make a difference. Exercise has been found to increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood while
decreasing LDL cholesterol and body fat. “If you can’t make it to the gym, I tell people to walk the streets. Just get out and start walking, and as time goes on we try to increase your endurance,” Whiteside said, to build up to 30-35 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise, five days per week. “If you start with five minutes a day, it is better than nothing.” If exercise and dietary changes do not significantly improve a patient’s cholesterol levels, doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering statin medications. Statin drugs take approximately three months to have an impact on cholesterol levels. There are several varieties of statin drugs available, and each has sideeffects that are specific to the person taking them. “We can’t tell who will or won’t have side-effects,” Whiteside said. Some patients require a surgical solution to their blocked blood vessels: Angioplasty, in which a small balloon inflated within the vessel presses plaque flat against the vessel’s walls to make room for blood to flow, or stents made of metal mesh which holds the cholesterol build-up out of the way. Surgical options are generally paired with cholesterollowering medication and blood thinners. Cholesterol is made by the body in response to two factors: your genetic predisposition to making cholesterol, and the foods you eat. Whiteside said that sometimes the dietary advice passed down by your grandparents was more spot-on than you might believe. “They used to say fried food ‘blocked up your vessels,’ and that is sort of true,” Whiteside said. Other factors that can in-
crease your risk of heart attack and stroke include tobacco use, being overweight, having high blood pressure, and stress. “Stress does play a big part in everybody’s life. It releases a hormone that can cause high blood pressure,” said Whiteside. “Most patients have two or more risk factors. We try to work on the main things to improve them if we can.” Not all efforts to improve blood cholesterol levels are about giving up favorite foods, relaxation on the couch and cigarettes. Drinking a reasonable amount of red wine on a regular basis can actually prove “cardioprotective.” Whiteside said he can often tell which of his patients are regular red wine drinkers because of their lower than expected cholesterol levels. Aside from raising HDL and lowering LDL cholesterol levels, Whiteside encourages his patients to reduce their triglycerides, made up of the fatty portion of cholesterol. Making all those changes can seem a daunting task, but Whiteside said it does not have to be that way. “I’m a realistic doctor. I don’t want to do too many things at one time,” Whiteside said. He encourages patients to begin with thirty days of exercise, three times each week, and then to start making dietary changes, and then to stop smoking--or at least cut down. “Little, small, incremental changes will help you achieve what you need to achieve,” Whiteside said. Check-ups every three months until cholesterol levels have gotten in line, followed by annual follow-up testing, can help patients meet their goals and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013
Exchange program leads to personal journey An American traveler shares her view of Vietnam and its health care system BY COL. JANET L. SETNOR PAST PRESIDENT, VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS
What began as a professional trip turned into a personal journey this October for a delegation of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. I went to Vietnam for an educational and cultural exchange sponsored by Professionals Abroad and led by Dr. Debra Malina, immediate past president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Upon arriving at the airport in Hanoi, one CRNA walked up to another to say, “Welcome back.” Both had been military nurses in Vietnam in the 60s. They had never met and this was the first time back for both. Don, who had served as a CRNA in Vietnam, and Marcia, a former ward nurse, shared memories and made the sites we visited all the more fascinating. In Hanoi we toured the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda--which was built in 1029 A.D., the history museum, and the lake where Senator John McCain was shot down and captured. This location is marked with a beautiful plaque and statue, as the Vietnamese are very proud of it. We also attended a traditional water puppet show and took a chauffeurpedaled tricycle tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The most sobering part of the day was spent at H a Lò Prison. The French call it Maison Centrale, but we know it as the “Hanoi Hilton,” a living hell for American prisoners of war. The prison was destroyed in the 1990s but the gatehouse and some buildings were preserved for tourism. On the grounds where Americans were held now stands a beautiful, highrise apartment building. We met with representatives of Saint Paul Hospital, a large, multi-field medical complex in central Hanoi that used to be the largest hospital in Indochina and was run by the Archdiocese of Hanoi. It is now a state-run hospital. There is no air-conditioning except in portions of the building to protect equipment, so most windows are left wide open. In spite of this, they report a very low infection rate, saying infection control is a priority. Since January, this facility reports 30,000 in-patient admissions, 250,000 outpatient, and they’ve conducted 5,500 surgeries. They’ve done this with a staff of 896, including 350 nurses; an exceptionally high patient-to-nurse/doctor ratio. Of necessity, family members of the patients
assist with much day-today care. This hospital has 23 nurse anesthetists, who work with the anesthesiologists as part of a care team. Prices for services are determined by the government and posted as a menu at the entrance. We ran into some Australian tourists who took a very sick and injured friend to the emergency room, where his wounds were treated and medication was given to him for his illness. His entire bill was $27, and he was told to recover in his hotel. That sounds like a bargain, until you realize the average citizens’ annual income is $1,100. We then visited the private L’Hospital Francais de Hanoi. This hospital was like most western facilities and is supported entirely by foreign invested capital. This facility has a physician focus with a French-Vietnamese multidisciplinary medical team. It is the only hospital in Vietnam to have received an active SARS patient. Colonel Setnor follows the Cu Chi Tunnels in the Mekong Delta. In 2003, this patient and six hospital staff members died from the disease. During this period, the entire hospital staff was quarantined to the hospital for four months. Miraculously, one nurse survived after contracting SARS and today only bears the scars of a tracheotomy. In Ho Chi Minh City-formerly Saigon--we visited the Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine. Our hosts were the faculty of the Nursing and Medical Technology Department. The dean of the school is SUBMITTED PHOTOS a Harvard-trained vascular thoracic surgeon and American POW clothing the associate dean of the is on display in the “Hanoi school of Nursing is the Hilton.” Traffic is wild on the streets of Vietnam. first, and only, Nurse Ph.D. in Vietnam. All of their develop the midwifery and The code was calm, well crowded with fishing boats nursing faculty members other specialty programs handled and eerily quiet. and looked, for all the are masters-prepared. into BSN and eventually The nurses knew their world, like movie of VietWe sat with some of the MSN degrees to mirror the roles well and the recorder nam from the 60s. As we students, and participated calmly called out times and left the river and started U.S. in the simulation lab. This medications. This was a 30- up the canals, the jungle We then visited the is the first year for the bed ICU with 35 intubated enveloped us. I thought of Children’s Hospital. We formal education of nurse patients. The nursing staff my dad, and all the Solspoke with many nurses anesthetists in Vietnam. diers who had to do this After extensive testing of and toured an intensive was impressive. Then, the trip turned trek on foot and survive care unit. This facility has the nursing candidates, into a personal journey for in the choking vegetaa 1,400-bed capacity with the university selected the first twenty-one students, a daily in-patient count me. We went to the Mekong tion. You could barely see who will graduate with of more than 1,600. It Delta where my father, re- five feet into the snakea Bachelor of Science in was amazing to see par- tired U.S. Army Command infested brush. It was an Nurse Anesthesia in 2017. ents on straw mats un- Sgt. Major Raymond Mal- emotional epiphany for The program is similar to der overhangs all around pica, spent a lot of time me. After walking through U.S. programs. In the past, the grounds taking care during two tours of duty in the Mekong Delta villages anesthetists were trained of their children. We saw the Vietnam War. I never I almost understand his siin the various hospitals in many patients with hep- truly appreciated what lence. I love you, Dad. Our last day we vena less formally structured locked IVs in the care of happened to him while he manner that could be lik- their family members. was deployed here. When tured to the C Chi Tunened to ‘on the job’ train- They know what time to he returned from Vietnam nels, 75 miles from Ho Chi ing. My understanding is report to clinics for treat- he never shared his expe- Minh City. The tunnels that the nursing education ment and then return to rience with us. He was for- were used by Viet Cong in Vietnam is equivalent the mats. The patient-to- ever changed and we just soldiers as hiding spots to our associate degree nurse ratio in the ICU is 5 accepted it as part of life as during combat, as well as communication and supprogram and is two years to 1, with 30-40 patients to an infantry family. In a tiny, dilapidat- ply routes, hospitals, food long. Nurses must test an- 2 nurses in the wards. Durnually to maintain licen- ing our time in the ICU, we ed ferry, we crossed the and weapon caches and sure. The nursing program witnessed a pediatric code brown, murky water of the living quarters for North is divided into two tracks with a successful outcome. Mekong River to visit a Vietnamese fighters. The from day one: Nursing and The patient was a ten- coconut orchard. This wa- tunnel systems were of midwifery. Their goal is to year-old drowning victim. terway of commerce was great importance to the
Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces and helped counter the growing American military effort. Knowing that every 20 yards there was a bail-out point made it an acceptable challenge for three of us. Afterward, we learned the tunnels were infested with ants, poisonous centipedes, scorpions, spiders and vermin. What was I thinking?! Traveling to Vietnam opened a floodgate of memories for Don and Marcia, which they were strong and gracious enough to share. We also share the bond of being military nurses who have deployed to war. The similarities of going to war in 1968 and 2008 are astounding. Marcia was quoted in her hometown newspaper many years ago as saying “The morale was pretty good and spirits high, considering the situation.” The same holds true for many of us today.
Acting SECAF: AF at increased level of risk under sequestration BY STAFF SGT. DAVID SALANITRI
AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY OPERATING LOCATION - PENTAGON
The Air Force’s senior leader addressed members of the Air Force Association and the media regarding Air Force readiness during the association’s monthly breakfast, held Nov. 18 in Arlington, Va. ”Air Force readiness has suffered an “increased level of risk’ as a result of sequestration,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning. Calling the service’s readiness situation “murky,” he summarized
what risk of a decreased readiness level could mean for the Air Force. It’s the “risk that fewer of our Airmen and fewer of our planes will come back (from operations),” Fanning said. The model of Air Force readiness, which has aircraft and Airmen ready to respond at a moment’s notice, includes flying hours for squadrons of pilots, which enables them to deliver airpower across the globe when needed. “We have to be able to move right away,” Fanning said. “The sequester does not allow us to maintain our readiness model
through the next five years.” Under sequestration, the Air Force, along with its sister services, must make significant cuts rapidly. “There’s no ramp built into sequestration,” Fanning said. “The cuts are instantaneous.” In order to meet the cuts required by sequestration, Fanning said the service will have to cut approximately 25,000 Airmen and 550 aircraft. “We don’t get savings by taking a squadron from every fleet,” he said. “You have to take the entire fleet and everything
that surrounds them.” Fanning noted the Air Force isn’t alone when it comes to feeling impacts of sequestration. Sequestration is felt throughout the Department of Defense. “It’s a tremendous hit for readiness; all the services are feeling it,” he said. “Every service is taking a different strategy. Across all the services, we’re all struggling. We’re all approaching it a different way.” Fanning summarized the Air Force’s near future concisely. “It’s a tough five years for us going forward,” Fanning said.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013
Babies need balance Prince George’s County Screen time can be learning time BY SHERRY MAYSONAVE
The American Pediatric Association’s recommendation for “no screen time before 2 years old” is like stepping back in time and recommending using diaper pins instead of tape tabs to secure diapers. It sticks families with unrealistic rules for today’s digital world. Their statement swaddles the important issue of screen time so tightly that it merely reproaches parents who do nothing to limit or manage kids’ screen time, while failing to address the overriding issue: positive versus negative content. Guidance for how to achieve a healthy balance of screen time would have been a far more valuable and realistic approach. Technology is not going away, and babies will be exposed to it because their
parents and older siblings are using it. Besides, technology is ultimately good for babies. Short sessions of screen time, which features educational content, makes babies smarter and offers no ill effects. A baby’s brain is full of unconnected synapses — potential intelligence. Brain stimulation in infants, which also requires engagement of their attention, is what connects their synapses via increased blood flow, which creates neuronal pathways between the synapses. The number of connections is the measure of actual intelligence. In other words, screen time can be learning time. So, there’s no need to feel guilty. Mom and Dad: it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to secure the baby in an appropriate safe
seat, and give the child an iPad that’s set to an educational eBook or app that has enhanced sound, rich visuals, and auto page turning. Parents get to enjoy a few minutes of quiet time. Babies get to enjoy multi-sensory learning experiences that grow new neuronal pathways in their brains. Parents can then take their babies on a walk and explore the wonders of the outdoors. That’s called balance. Balance is essential to learning to walk; balanced screen time that focuses on educational content is essential for raising healthy, smart kids growing up in a technology-riddled world. Sherry Maysonave, author of EggMania, believes that even babies can benefit from a balanced media diet. Visit her online at http://maniatales.com.
AOSC IMPROVISES FUN AND FASHION
PHOTO/SHELLIE BERGO
The Andrews Officers’ Spouses Club hosted an improvisational theater group and jewelry vendors over lunch Nov. 12 at The Courses. From left, Karen Jackman, Robert Lovett and Jill Redding improvise with Otter Productions’ improv performer Herbert Otter. The next AOSC function, Christmas Around the World, will be held Dec. 10.. Visit the AOSC website at www.andrewsaosc.org for more information.
JBA Buzz
Would you rather be idolized or respected? “Of course I would rather be respected. Being idolized is not how God wants us to be seen.”
“I would rather be respected, based on character.”
accepting applications for nonprofit grants BY CHASE COOK
THE PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations providing programs that help growth and development of county communities. The Office of the County Executive Community Partnership Grant Program has about $1.6 million in funding available to eligible nonprofits with the community-based initiatives, according to a Prince George’s County Executive Office news release from the county executive’s
Sylvia Goff, 11th Force Support Squadron Health Promotion manager “I would much rather be respected and serve as a role model for children.”
Jeffrey Slater, 11th Force Support Squadron motor vehicle operator/Andrews Youth Center support
“I would rather be respected than idolized. I would like for people to remember me for doing something noble or great.”
Senior Airman John Rohn, 779th Dental Squadron dental technician
This story originally appeared in the Nov. 14 edition of The Prince George’s Gazette.
Prince George’s prepares for National Harbor’s Tanger Outlets excitement, traffic BY CHASE COOK
THE PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
With an estimated 20,000 people set to descend on Prince George’s County’s newest retail attraction — Tanger Outlets at National Harbor — for its grand opening today, residents should expect delays despite efforts to mitigate traffic. Tanger Outlets will open at 9 a.m. today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Mall representatives anticipate a large turnout of guests and customers, which will likely fill up the center’s 4,000-plus available parking spaces and ancillary parking areas, said Christi Wallace, the center’s general manager. The mall is opening with about 99 percent of its high-end retail stores such as Calvin Klein and Coach leased, Wallace said. “We generate a lot of excitement, so we know that is going to bring a lot of traffic,” Wallace said. Wallace said Tanger has been working with Gameday Parking Management and Prince George’s County Police Department to prepare for today’s parking and traffic situation. County police will direct cars while county Department of Public Works and Transportation members will monitor traffic signals and will post signs advising through traffic to avoid Oxon Hill Road, said DPWT spokeswoman Carol Terry. Joyce Thorpe of Fort Washington said Tanger’s location on Oxon Hill Road will create disastrous traffic even with management efforts. Oxon Hill Road goes
from three lanes in both direction to two lanes, one in each direction, and that’s going to cause problems, she said. “Traffic is going to be horrendous,” Thorpe said. “It is not a good location to attract that many people.” County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) said that while traffic has been a concern for the county, he is pleased to know that people from Virginia, D.C. and other parts of Maryland will be coming to Prince George’s County for high-end retail, something the county has desired for some time. “We are going to have thousands of people looking to shop and be entertained,” Baker said. The area around the Tanger location will be stocked with portable cameras to monitor traffic flow in case cars back up to Interstate 95, prompting the need for adjustments by the Maryland State Highway Administration, said SHA spokesman David Buck. “We are certainly aware of that weekend,” Buck said. “If it is only parking that becomes overwhelmed, that’s an issue for National Harbor.” Tanger’s opening is occurring about a year after construction started. Each store is having its own separate sales and Tanger is offering a coupon on its website as part of the event, Wallace said. This story originally appeared in the Dec. 19 edition of The Prince George’s Gazette.
Prince George’s police say youth made up attempted abduction BY CHASE COOK
THE PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
A 12-year-old who said he was nearly abducted near Central High School in Capitol Heights on Friday prompted a Prince George’s County police search for the alleged suspect. But after police spent a portion of Saturday afternoon canvassing the neighborhood looking for the alleged abductor and talking to witnesses, the young man admitted in a follow-up interview that he made the event up, police said. County police received the initial call at 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 15 to the 200 block of Cabin Branch Road in Capitol Heights for an attempted abduction.
MENTOR, from page 1 Valerie Robinson, Clinton, Md.
office. The applications are available online at the Prince George’s County website, www.princegeorgescountymd.gov, listed under the county executive’s office. Eligible nonprofits must be designated as 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Code and based in or serving Prince George’s County, according to the news release. Only one application per organization will be accepted, and the paperwork is due by Nov. 22, according to the news release.
unteers also attend school parent/teacher conferences and teach life skills such as financial literacy, dining etiquette and effective communication. The focus is on disrupting what Prince George’s County Public Schools Board of Education Chairman Dr. Segun Eubanks called, “this pipeline from school to prison.” For many of the boys who participate in M2M, there were few strong and positive relationships with older men before they joined the program. Due to death, incarceration or for other reasons, the boys could not rely upon a strong bond with a loving, attentive and successful father. Mothers struggling to provide for their children are often absent as well, and exhausted when they are at home. It’s a combination that does not provide the safe, healthy, nurturing and calm environment that sets children up to develop into successful adults. With that in mind, M2M works to engage parents as well, whether by including them in activities with their children and mentors
“We certainly understand that the report of an attempted abduction caused great concern in our community,” said Capt. Meredith Bingley, commander of the Regional Investigation Division’s Central Region in a released statement. “We do not take this false report lightly.” As of Monday, information about the alleged victim’s motives for the false report and potential punishment for the report are not available, said Police Officer First Class Nicole Hubbard, county police spokeswoman. This story originally appeared in the Nov. 18 edition of The Prince George’s Gazette.
or by providing seminars on anger management, depression and other struggles faced by single parents. Each year, M2M honors a selection of men who have helped boys in the community. The honorees are selected after a nomination process which focuses on “the specific stories they have of mentors having an impact on others. It’s the stories that make the difference,” Malone said, in determining who will be among the honorees each year. Though the spotlight was aimed at mentors this week, the volunteers at M2M are determined to keep their focus on the young men who can benefit from the extra support and encouragement a dedicated mentor can provide. The gala is one of the organization’s most successful fundraisers. “By sharing or passing on the wisdom that we adults have to our young men, we will build the future leaders of this county and the state of Maryland and certainly this country,” said Prince George’s County Communications representative Barry L. Hudson, speaking on behalf of County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D).
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013
“Gold Star Children” highlights healing, understanding BY BOBBY JONES
STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors hosted the showing of a one-hour documentary film, “Gold Star Children,” Nov. 18 at the Capitol Visitors Center’s South Orientation Theater in Washington, D.C . The film follows the parallel journeys of two generations: A woman who lost her father in Vietnam more than 40 years ago and a young girl whose father was killed in Iraq. The screening was followed by a panel discussion led by survivors of service members lost in the Vietnam War. Producer Mitty Griffis Mirrer highlighted the parallels and contrasts in the lives of Jennifer Denard, who lost her father in Vietnam, and Cierra Becker, whose father was killed in the Iraq War. “With this film, I just felt like if I could just show the journey from the knock on the door to the end, you would see this uplifting and powerful story about where a little girl just blossoms after the death of her father in Iraq, in stark contrast with a woman who received the telegram notifying of her parent’s death in Vietnam. But throughout the film this now 40-year-old woman ends up mentoring this little girl,” said Mirrer. Mirrer said that the film, which took eight years to make, almost didn’t happen. “I kept going through Kickstarter campaigns to raise funds, because I represent a nonprofit organization and everyone that you see here tonight had something to do with this film. This is an independent film and I approached this project from the heart,” said Mirrer. “My father was killed in Vietnam in 1970, moments after my birth, and through great organizations like TAPS, by the time children were losing a parent to Iraq and Afghanistan wars this was already in place.” Mirrer noted that during that
PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
The Gold Star Children pose for a photo after the panel discussion at the Capitol Visitors Center’s South Orientation Theater in Washington DC Nov. 18.
Mitty Griffis Mirrer, Gold Star Children producer, introduces her film, Gold Star Children. Second from left, Mitty Griffis Mirrer, Gold Star Children producer, addresses an audience question during a panel discussion.
time TAPS had started a Good Grief Camp, where children are mentored one-on-one. “So, through TAPS I had the experience of mentoring a little girl, whose father was killed in Iraq. TAPS is a game changer,” said Mirrer. Mirrer said that for the most part grief for an estimated 20,000 family members went underground during the post-Vietnam era. “People were afraid to talk about it for fear of something hurtful being said. So, now you come to today’s wars, where children can talk about their loss in
real time and talk about the experience of losing a parent to war, unlike the children of the Vietnam era who are now grown, but had to wait to come out of silence because then there was no support systems in place,” said Mirrer. Mirrer commended support organizations like TAPS, Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives and Snow Ball Express for providing needed support to grieving family members. “What I want to see is that our military will use this film for training for Casualty Assistance Officers and I also want to bridge
that disconnect with civilians who may not be familiar with military loss directly or by a family relative,” said Mirrer. “I want them to know what a Gold Star Child is and what they need to rebuild their lives after the loss of a parent.” “It was hard. All I can remember was the only thing I wanted to do was protect my sons,” said Yolanda Acevedo, who reluctantly appeared in the documentary. “I didn’t want my children to have to live in silence, enduring the pain and loss of their father. They were so young then, but the TAPS program really helped them to cope with losing their father better. “When I was first asked to be in this film I had reservations for
some time. But I realized that If I could help someone get through their pain or help educate someone else about what the TAPS program has to offer I would be doing a great service to my boys and other families affected by the loss of a loved one,” said Acevedo. “In TAPS I found other sisters, women, who were going through the same thing as me and I wanted my boys to know that they’re not alone. This is something that happens to a lot of other people, and that they can be successful in life. Many of the kids that participate in the TAPS camp, go on to enter into the armed forces and become dedicated to service. My two sons are now in the Navy ROTC, students following their father’s legacy, and TAPS gave them a healthy sense of self and helped them to continue their journey.” At the conclusion of the panel discussion Mirrer was awarded a Gold Star pin by Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. former Chief of Staff of the Army, in an impromptu ceremony to commemorate her life’s support of the Gold Star Child program. Mirrer concluded that she was honored to wear the pin that she had seen so many other surviving family members wear over the years. Bonnie Carroll, TAPS founder, noted there are an estimated 2,000 youth who have participated in National TAPS camps. “We also do programs all over the country at military installations and bring together hundreds of families, like Camp Pendleton, Camp LeJeune, Fort Bragg and Fort Carson,” said Carroll. “In 2014, TAPS has over 60 programs planned and some of those will include camping out in the traditional tents on different bases. So I’m thankful that the program has really grown over the years.” An estimated 46,000 Gold Star Children have been designated since 2001 due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Medically retired Staff Sergeant receives New Horizons Award BY TERESA GUZIK SERVICESOURCE
Disability resource non-profit ServiceSource, Inc. hosted their 28th annual Service Excellence Awards Oct. 23 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. Medically retired Staff Sgt. Harry V. Louque, who served combat tours in Iraq and Kuwait, received the New Horizons Award, which recognizes an individual who has used ServiceSource’s employment and rehabilitation programs to challenge themselves to fulfill personal and professional goals. While in Iraq, Louque sustained multiple injuries that resulted in him being medically evacuated and later, medically retired from the Army. In the two years after his transition back to civilian life, Louque was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder related to his service, for which he sought treatment before reintegrating into the civilian workforce. Louque worked with a career specialist who directed him to the Warrior Bridge program run
by ServiceSource, a nonprofit disability resource organization that provides customized programs and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families, from employment and job placement to training, rehabilitation and housing. ServiceSource hired Louque to work on a contract through the AbilityOne Program that involved closing out federal gov-
ernment contracts with a team of veterans with disabilities. At first, Louque was still struggling with PTSD and had sporadic work attendance. ServiceSource met with Louque and his career specialist. Louque explained his debilitating fear and his inability to even leave his house some days. ServiceSource worked with him to put together a schedule and program that accommodat-
ed his needs and eased him back into the work force. Working with other veterans created a more comfortable environment where Louque was able to thrive. He was promoted, and eventually received an outside job offer as an associate contract administrator at National Industries for the Blind in Alexandria, VA. “ServiceSource stuck by me
and did all they could to help support me in a situation where most employers would have cut their losses,” Louque said. Louque remains connected to the Warrior Bridge program as a mentor to other veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life. His goal is to help and inspire other veterans suffering from PTSD.
Botwinick earns 50 Years of Civil Service pin BY STAFF SGT. NICHELLE ANDERSON
11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/AIRMAN 1ST CLASS NESHA HUMES
Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew awards the 50 Years of Civil Service pin to John R.. Botwinick Nov. 18, 2013 at the 89th Communications Squadron on Joint Base Andrews, Md. Botwinick retired from the Air Force after 23 years, and in 1985 went on to work as a federal employee. McDew is the 18th Air Force commander and Botwinick is an 89th Communications Squadron, mission systems flight chief.
John R. Botwinick, 89th Communications Squadron mission systems flight chief, was awarded the 50 Years of Civil Service pin by Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew, 18th Air Force commander, Nov. 18, 2013. “It was an honor; it was humbling,” Botwinick said. “I was very appreciative, especially with a three-star coming to present it.” Botwinick retired from the United Stated Air Force in Oct. 1985 after 23 years as a wide band maintenance technician and supervisor. “During my 23 years of service in the Air Force, I got to
travel the world,” Botwinick said, “I spent 15 of those years overseas.” In November of 1986 Botwinick accepted a position as a logistics management specialist assigned to the then 2045th Communications Group, Joint Base Andrews, Md., where he worked as the assistant chief of maintenance. When in Aug. 1994, the 2045th Communications Group was reorganized with the establishment of the 89th and 789th Communications Squadrons, Botwinick became the Mission Systems flight chief for the 789th Comm Squadron. He was responsible for managing a flight that maintains sophisticated communications equipment in support of the president
of the United States and other high-level government officials. In 2006, the group was reorganized once again to the 89th Airlift Support Group and the 789th Comm Squadron was renamed the 89th Comm Squadron. “I met and worked with some of the best people, from the lowest-ranking Airman to the most senior-ranking; it has been the best period of my life,” said Botwinick. After 50 years in civil service, Botwinick will retire May 17, 2014. “It’s time for you guys and gals to handle it,” he said. During retirement Botwinick plans to golf, travel and visit family.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013
Operation Damayan airlift operations intensify
Airmen and Marines load humanitarian aid onto a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation Damayan Nov. 18 at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines. Five C-130 crews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, are conducting multiple nighttime sorties that each carry up to 42,000 pounds of rolling cargo in the form of humanitarian aid and relief supplies from Manila to Tacloban, Philippines. BY 2ND LT. JAKE BAILEY
374TH AIRLIFT WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 36th Airlift Squadron launched 24-hour C-130 Hercules aircraft night operations in support of Operation Damayan Nov. 18. Night operations substantially multiply the joint airlift component here to increase the flow of evacuation flights from Tacloban, Philippines, the region hit hardest by Typhoon Haiyan. Five C-130 crews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, are conducting multiple nighttime sorties that each carry up to 42,000 pounds of rolling cargo in the form of humanitarian aid and relief supplies from Manila to Tacloban. After offloading cargo at Tacloban, the crews airlift evacuees seeking safe haven to Manila. The aircraft carry approximately 120 passengers per evacuation mission. “Airlifters are working around the clock to support the joint airlift operation,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Menasco, the 36th Airlift Squadron commander. “Our team is focused on providing professional airlift as
we take part in this historic mission to help our Philippine allies.” As joint service and Armed Forces of the Philippines members escorted evacuees onto the aircraft at Tacloban Airport, special care was taken to assist the elderly and parents with infants. “We are assisting evacuees with the utmost dignity and respect,” Menasco said. “The people of the Philippines are our friends and neighbors -- our forward presence here in the Western Pacific and close relationship with regional allies allows us to rapidly respond to crises.” While the crews began nighttime operations, a team of eight operators from the 36th Airlift Squadron forward deployed to Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, to assist in standing up an Air Component Coordination Element, Joint Task Force-505. The unit interfaces and provides air liaison with host-nation, joint and multinational response entities during Operation Damayan. “As this operation builds, we look forward to refining our interoperability and improving upon lessons learned across the joint
District CrossFit ProAm supports Navy Yard Relief Fund BY SACHA SIMMONS DISTRICT CROSSFIT
District CrossFit is partnering with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to benefit the Navy Yard Relief Fund and rally the Navy Yard and Southwest DC neighborhoods, proving that the community is far more resilient than any act of terror. With that in mind, they will host a “Charity Pro-Am” event Nov. 23 at the Southwest District CrossFit gym. DCF SW is located three blocks from the Navy Yard Building 197, where a gunman opened fire on more than a dozen people on Sept. 16. “For many DC natives, September 16th felt eerily similar to Sept. 11, 2001. DC is our city. Southwest is our neighborhood. Return-to-normal happens all too slowly. We at DCF want to do our part to rally support for those whose lives were forever changed
by the violent acts of that day,” said Andrew Killion, owner of District CrossFit. Elite CrossFitters, including Jenn Jones, Gary Helmick, Jordan Troyan, Gretchen Kittleberger and more will team with regular CrossFitters to compete and raise funds for the victims and their families. Athletes can register to compete and the winning team will have a large donation made to the T.A.P.S Navy Yard Relief Fund in their name. DCF is partnering with Reebok FitHub, Uber, Good Stuff Eatery, Rose Physical Therapy Group, Grove Printing, The Pug, South Block Café, Matchbox Food Group, Blue Jacket, Grindstone Universal, Sweetgreen and more to provide prizes to athletes and spectators. This event is free and open to all ages. For more information or to register, visit dccrossfit.com.
Join the Great American Smokeout 5K Run BY SYLVIA GOFF
779TH MEDICAL GROUP HEALTH PROMOTION MANAGER
In collaboration with the Fitness Center, the Health and Wellness Center will kick off the annual Smokeout with a 5K Run 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Join the fun and receive motivational items. Bring a Stick for a Stack - trade in cigarettes for gum, water bottles, stress balls, and more. The Fitness Center will also give “trotters” a chance to win a free turkey or ham. If you are thinking about quitting smoking but not sure you’re ready to take the plunge, The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity to join with other Joint Base Andrews smokers in
saying “no thanks” to cigarettes and other tobacco products for 24 hours. The rules are simple: Quit smoking for the 24 hours of the Smokeout. The great thing is that you won’t be alone. Other “quitters,” nonsmokers, and the Wingmen around you will be cheering you on. By quitting even for one day, tobacco users take an important step toward a healthier life - one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. If you don’t go on to quit permanently, you will have learned that you can quit for a day and that many others around you are taking the step, too. For more information on becoming Tobacco Free, contact the HAWC at 240-857-HAWC (4292) or 240-857-5601.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS/2ND LT. JAKE BAILEY
Evacuees from Tacloban Airport exit a Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft Nov. 19 at Villamor Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, during Operation Damayan.
and combined operations community,” Menasco said. The 36th AS arrived at Clark Air Base Nov. 16, having just completed an airdrop exercise with their Bangladeshi counterparts. The training proved to be timely and useful, offering the opportunity to rapidly set up an off-station operations center and integrate with host-nation assets. Now, they were tasked to put the training to real-world use. Airlift planners from the 36th AS jumped into action upon arriving, establishing a makeshift mission-planning cell collocated with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Battalion, Air Combat Element. The Marines, along with Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, provided the 36th AS with the most current
information and operational points of contact for their situational awareness. Spanning the flight line at Clark AB is a veritable ‘who’s who’ of joint air assets such as Air Force MC-130 Talons, Navy P-3 Orions, Marine MV-22 Ospreys and C130Js. Yokota’s Hercules aircraft are a welcome addition to the lineup, substantially increasing the capacity of the response effort. “The C-130 Hercules is a proven workhorse that is capable of flying into the remotest of regions,” said 1st Lt. Travis Wilkes, a C-130 pilot assigned to the 36th AS. “Combined with our nighttime capability, the Herc is an unstoppable force when it comes to executing tactical airlift.” 24-hour airlift operations will continue to launch from Clark AB this week.
A Philippine army soldier watches as evacuees from Tacloban Airport prepare to exit an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft Nov. 19 at Villamor Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, during Operation Damayan. The aircraft carry approximately 120 passengers per evacuation mission.
Washington National Cathedral honors veterans Washington, D.C.—One hundred people attended an interfaith prayer breakfast Nov. 8 at Washington National Cathedral to honor United States veterans. The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr., former secretary of Veterans Affairs, was the keynote speaker. Prayers were offered by Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian military chaplains, and the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants offered musical selections, as well as the national anthem. The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the Cathedral, welcomed guests, saying, “Because earlier veterans were memorialized here—and because you are here today—this Cathedral will be able to serve as a place of respite for the veterans of our future: Men and women who will know that their struggles will continue to be recorded and honored here in a place that works to recharge their spirits.”
PHOTO/DONOVAN MARKS
From left, the Right Rev. James B. Magness, the Very Rev. Gary Hall, and the Hon. Togo West.
The event, sponsored by Dr. J. Phillip London and Dr. Jennifer Burkhart London, with further support from the Episcopal Office of Armed Forces and Federal
Ministries, also commemorated the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the fortieth anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Joint Base Andrews Tax Center opens Jan. 20 BY CAPT. CHASE GUNNELL
2014 JOINT BASE ANDREWS TAX CENTER
Tax season is almost upon us. The Joint Base Andrews Tax Center will open its doors Jan. 20, 2014 for E-4 and below. The Tax Center will then open its doors to all active duty and their dependents Feb. 3, 2014. This year’s Tax Center will offer free tax assistance to active duty members and dependents with a valid ID card.
The Tax Center is located in room 2550 of the Jones Building. It will operate on a walk-in basis 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. - noon Fridays. Regrettably, due to budget cuts and fiscal constraints, the Joint Base Andrews Tax Center will be unable to serve our retiree population. There are, however, many options available for retirees. Please visit www. irs.gov for additional resources available in the National Capital Region.
To have your 2013 return completed by the Tax Center’s volunteers, bring your government-issued military or dependent ID card, hard copies of all W-2s/1099-Rs, interest statements, dividend statements, brokerage statements, complete documentation for any deduction or adjustment you wish to claim and a copy of last year’s tax return. Please direct all questions to Capt. Chase Gunnell at chase. gunnell@afncr.af.mil.
For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com.
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Andrews Gazette
CFC passes halfway point The 779th Medical Group and Combined Federal Campaign marked the halfway point of the CFC open pledge season Nov. 15 with a pizza-fueled open house at Cafe Malcolm inside Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center. Service members and civilian employees visited outreach tables staffed by charitable organizations which are eligible for support through direct donation by federal employees. For fifty years, federal employees have had the opportunity to support nonprofit organizations of their choice through donations that come out of their paycheck automatically. To learn more about the organizations funded in part through the CFC, visit http://www.opm.gov/ combined-federal-campaign/.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Security Forces Police Blotter The Security Forces Blotter is intended to keep members of the Joint Base Andrews Community informed and aware of the crimes and offenses that occur thorough out the base each week. If you have any information that may help the Security Forces solve a crime or prevent a criminal act, please call Base Defense Operations Center at 301-9812001, CRIME STOP LINE 981-2677 (COPS), or the investigations section at 301-981-5656. 5:06 p.m. Nov. 12, 2013: SF responded to a theft at the BX. Individual was detained by the Loss Prevention office. The individual was charged accordingly. The price of the amount stolen was $2.19. 3:33 a.m. Nov. 15, 2013: A individual was detained at the Main Gate for having an open container. The individual was charged for failure to obey a lawful order.
Update on barrier light sequence
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
Due to multiple vehicle/barrier strikes please adhere to the following: When there are no lights illuminated at a barrier it is safe to proceed or cross the barrier. When there is a solid yellow light the barrier is being activated and will rise in three seconds. Do not attempt to accelerate across the barrier. Safely stop your vehicle. When there is a solid red light the barrier is deploying in less than one second/is deployed. Stop immediately, DO NOT attempt to cross the barrier. You risk severe damage to your vehicle and injury to yourself and others. As an additional reminder, even if the barrier lights are off do not stop or park on top of the vehicle security barriers. If raised, they come up with enough force to lift your vehicle off the ground.
CPST is newest DANTES online program COURTESY OF DEFENSE ACTIVITY FOR NON-TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support announced Oct. 1 that College Placement Skills Training, a new online program provided by DANTES, is live and can be accessed at www.nelnetsolutions.com/ dantes/. CPST is available to service members, DoD civilians and family members, to help prepare for college, build academic skills and prepare for exams such as CLEP or DSST. “CPST serves as a companion tool to the highly popular and effective Online Academic Skills Course,” said DANTES OASC/CPST Program Manager Kathy Bratsch. “It will assist military members that plan to start or return to college by providing a refresher of college algebra and/or English composition.” CPST is especially helpful for those beginning their college program, as most colleges require students to take placement exams before enrolling in English and math classes. Students who put the effort into taking a refresher program like CPST can impact the number of pre-college classes they might need, thereby saving their tuition assistance dollars for credit classes. More importantly, when students test into college level courses, they save time and accelerate their degree completion. Both courses are self-paced and customized according to each participant’s answers on a pre-course assessment. Lessons are supported by interactive exercises such as drag-and-drop matching, video game-style multiple choice and dynamic flash cards. Quizzes and practice problem sets also help students gauge their mastery of the material. CPST and OASC offer skill-building lessons, quizzes and tests and helpful articles covering such topics as “How to Beat Test Stress” and “Last-Minute Study Tips.” Furthermore, these programs offer detailed tips and strategies for doing well on college entry exams.
CPST lessons include the following areas:
01040867B
ELA (English and Language Arts) • Main Idea Identifying • Direct Statements/Secondary Ideas • Inferences – Point of View • Sentence Relationships (cause/effect, etc.) Essay Writing • Organizing and Developing Ideas • Avoiding Common Errors Math • Whole Numbers, Fractions • Decimals and Percents • Simple Geometry • Elementary Algebra – (integers and rationals, add, subtract, multiply and divide monomials and polynomials, etc.) College-Level Math • Algebraic Operations • Linear and Quadratic Equations • Functions (polynomials, etc.) • Trigonometry • Applications (series and sequences, word problems, determinants, complex number problems) HMCM(FMF/SW) David Acuff, DANTES Senior Enlisted Advisor, is excited about the new program, saying “CPST is perfect for individuals who want to build their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and math skills to pass exams, excel in their jobs, advance their careers, or continue their education. Because both programs are self-paced and online, they are accessible 24/7 whether you’re in the Fleet, Field, Air, or even in the comfort of your own home. All you need is an Internet connection and the desire to get started.” For more information, contact the DANTES CPST/OASC Program Manager at refpubs@navy.mil or (850) 452-1111 Ext 3131. For more information about programs offered by DANTES, visit http://www.dantes.doded.mil. For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Andrews Gazette
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01041147B
Andrews Gazette
Friday, November 22, 2013